Your Money: NC State Fair

The 2009 North Carolina State Fair is here and although a visit can be pricey, you can learn how to make the most of your money at the Midway.You can start by purchasing your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to ride.

"You can get 18 tickets for $10, which if you get those at the fair, you're gonna spend $18 so you're gonna save $8 right there," fair spokeswoman Jen Nixon told Eyewitness News.

Until midnight Thursday, you can buy early tickets at the fairgrounds or online. At select malls you can buy advanced tickets until 6 p.m.

Seniors and children five and always get in free and anyone can get in free on Thursday, Oct. 22 for Food Lion Hunger Relief Day.

Just take four canned goods to the entrance gate. This year fair officials want visitors to consider bringing an extra can to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

"If you bring a family, throw an extra can in there somewhere and it will really help the food bank," Nixon said.

And remember parking is free in fair lots. Watch for independent businesses that require you to pay to park.

Exhibits have lots of free samples and concerts are very affordable. The most expensive in $15 and instead of buying food and drinks, you can bring your own.

Whether the wild economic ride our nation has been on will keep people away from the fattening food and fun is anyone's guess.

"A lot of fairs have seen an uptick on attendance this year because people are sticking close to home, and this is kind of their fun thing to do for the summer and the fall," Nixon said. "So we're not really sure. Weather plays the biggest role, so we don't know."

For more on the NC State Fair concert schedules, parking or to buy tickets, click here.

Finally, you can get your flu shot while at the fair. Just look for the Kerr Drug booth.